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As we roll through the beginning of 2025, I’m excited to look back and share some of the incredible highlights from 2024 in the world of area development. Your support has been an essential part of the amazing work happening here in not only Chelan Valley, but beyond as we grow Young Life in the Mountain West Region. My hope is that these stories and will inspire you and affirm that God is powerfully at work in Young Life areas across the region. Thank you for being such an integral part of this mission—we truly couldn’t do it without you!
TOP FIVE (development) MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024
5) Some time ago, alongside a team of developers, I had the privilege of stepping into Cle Elum (Upper Kittitas County Young Life) to help build and grow the ministry. This effort led to the hiring of Area Director Claire Faucher, and the progress since has been incredible. Under Claire’s leadership, the Cle Elum team has achieved so much: taking 100 kids and leaders to camp, welcoming over 50 kids to clubs, and building a strong team of dedicated committee members and leaders serving the community. Amazing, right?
And even though I am no longer involved in the area, please keep the UKC Young Life staff, committee, and leaders in your prayers as they continue to grow and impact the area!
4) Deer Park & Riverside WyldLife has been a project I’ve nurtured and overseen for the past couple of years, and I continue to serve as the Area Director and Administrator. Since I don’t live in the area, the ministry is largely led by an incredible team of volunteer leaders and committee members. Their dedication is evident—last summer, they took 17 kids and leaders to Creekside, and their recent WyldLife club saw an amazing turnout of 58 kids!
Please pray for additional leaders and committee members, as the team is currently running with the minimum needed to sustain the ministry. A bigger prayer is that Deer Park & Riverside will eventually become part of a larger metro Spokane area, with the right staff person to lead the charge. (CLICK HERE FOR THE JOB POSTING)
3) In August 2023, Kalispell Young Life was entrusted to me as a new project. At the time, the area had just two dedicated committee members, one volunteer leader, and a negative fund balance. Despite the challenges, we trusted that with God, all things are possible. The goals were clear: recruit and train leaders to launch high school ministry, build a supportive committee, and raise funds to hire staff.
I’m thrilled to share that Kalispell Young Life has made incredible progress! Casey Wolleat was hired part-time in May and transitioned to full-time on September 1st. The area now has a growing team of leaders, with 11 more set to begin training in January, and WyldLife is preparing to launch in the new year. Clubs are thriving under Casey’s leadership.
Please pray for Casey and the Kalispell team as they continue fundraising, training leaders, and preparing for their first banquet on March 2nd! (CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO GO)
2) Over the past year, I had the privilege of investing in Anaconda, Montana, and the area even took a group to camp and had some clubs. While the journey faced challenges, including the transition of a key family, God’s hand has been evident. As I now focus on areas in Washington, I’m thrilled to share that a fellow developer, Katie Blincoe has stepped in to continue the work in Anaconda. Efforts are now expanding to include the neighboring town of Butte, creating a collaborative and vibrant ministry. Leaders are rising, and I’m excited to see the incredible ways God will move in this region in the future!
1) And finally, the biggest highlight of 2024 - our move to Chelan, Washington!
While I’ve shared about my work in Chelan Valley in previous posts, this milestone deserves its moment in the development spotlight. After two years without an Area Director, the opportunities here are immense: revitalizing high school ministry, expanding into new areas like Manson, and growing the outreach to teen moms. I’m profoundly grateful for God’s call to this community and humbled to be part of the incredible work He is doing to transform the lives of kids and young moms across Chelan County.
In 2025, please join us in praying for more leaders as we launch high school clubs, expand our committee, grow what promises to be an impactful YoungLives program, and nurture the continued growth of our ministry in Manson!
God bless you and your family in 2025!
Michelle Carnes
425-449-9076
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